Sermonhelp.Com
| Full Text Sermon | Notes on the Text | Alternate Sermon Ideas | Worship Helps |
Sunday January 3,
1999
Matthew 2:1-12
Focus Text: "On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [2:11]
"Rise and shine!"
My dad, an early riser himself, loved to come to my bedroom very early in the morning and shout this phrase -- especially when I'd blown my curfew and stayed out way too late. Strangely (at least to me), he never actually punished me for the curfew violation. It was just this blasted, "Rise and shine," about 6:00 a.m. I grew to dread. That, along with the lengthy list of chores he would hand to me. By the time that evening would arrive, I would be absolutely longing to "hit the sack."
It wasn't until I had my own curfew breaking son that I realized just how wonderfully God has designed the human system. A few cheerful, "rise and shines", along with a protracted list of chores at 6:00 a.m. delivered to my law breaking boy finally did the trick. I witnessed a change in behavior no punishment could ever have accomplished. (I grow increasingly thankful for my dad!)
***
There is, however, another meaning to "rise and shine". Not bad news, but good news... a rise and shine that thrills your heart and fills your life with joy. It is the "rise and shine" of our reading from Isaiah that announces really good news for the people of God. It is the promise of ancient Israel's blessing, "...the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you..." [Num. 6:25]
Many Christians around the world call this day "The Epiphany of Our Lord." Epiphany means literally "to shine upon". That's the ancient blessing -- "May God shine upon you!" The ancient blessing today would come across with something like, "May God smile upon your life."
Another meaning of epiphany is "to give light" or "to appear". A contemporary expression might be to say epiphany is when God shows up or appears.
Think with me for a moment -- What would it be like if God smiled on your life? What would it mean if God "showed up" for you today? -- What would change? -- What would happen?
Our scripture today tells the story of the "Wise men" who came to bring gifts to the infant Jesus. The amazing thing is that the gifts they brought to him actually tell us about the gifts Christ gives to us. Three gifts that are free -- yet, they are priceless!
That is not always true of free gifts. Sometimes "free" does not mean quality. When I was in second grade, I saw an offer on the back of a cereal box. "Free Binoculars!" There was a picture of a young lad looking through his free binoculars and he could see really far away. I imagined that I could spy on Sharon Turner with a pair of these goodies! (I had a soft spot for Sharon, but there was no way a boy in second grade could let on to having a crush on a girl. These binoculars would be ideal.)
I sent in the requisite ten box tops and went with my dad to the post office every day to see if the binoculars had arrived. It seemed like an eternity, but finally -- an epiphany. They "showed up." Unlike the joy of the Magi in our scripture, there was no joy in my heart at all. I couldn't see Sharon Turner's house at all. I couldn't see fifty yards. In fact, I couldn't see a thing. It was like trying to see through thick fog. (This was way before "truth in advertising" laws.)
***
Perhaps you've experienced the frustration of buying expensive toys for your children only to discover that they were hardly worth the paper you wrapped the gift in. Still others are dreading the appearance of those envelopes from Visa and Master Card. Somewhere between the middle and end of January you wonder, "Was it worth it?" And that's for gifts that are not free at all. Even the expensive gifts don't bring the fulfillment we long for.
Our reading from Matthew today is about the real gifts of Christmas. It is the story of gifts given to the Christ child and the amazing thing is that these gifts represent something Christ would one day give to us. I want to explore with you these free and priceless gifts Christ gives and then look at what it is that releases the gifts of God into our lives.
***
1. The Gift of Gold Represents - Security!
In a world like ours, isn't it a wonderful thing to have security? So many people's lives are affected by security issues like, job security, economic security, medical security and social security. Increasingly, issues like health insurance and long term care insurance have become so very important. It increases our stress and anxiety when we don't know if we are going to be taken care of when an emergency comes.
There's another kind of security. Emotional security. The kind of security that gives a child a strong sense of self esteem. When a child grows up with a strong sense of being loved and cared for, she is much more able to cope with the stress and anxiety of life.
In the ancient world, gold was the gift for a king. In the scriptures, Christ is Son of David, King of the Jews and "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." As King, Christ gives his people security. He is able to care for his subjects and when he is ruler in our lives we have security because his love is forever. As children of God, we are much more able to cope with the stresses of living because we know that we are loved and cared for.
2. The Gift of Frankincense Represents - Hope!
Frankincense was the sweet smelling incense which was used in the temple. It was used by the priest and when it was given to the Christ child, it represented the idea that Jesus would one day be our priest. He would represent us before God.
There is such wonderful hope in the fact that Jesus Christ represent us before God. Listen to these words from the N.T. book of Hebrews.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. [Heb. 4:15]
Our hope is this. Supposing I could promise you just one gift for Christmas. It would be your only gift. But, you would for sure receive this one. It would be the gift of a closer relationship with God. That is a gift Christ, as our High Priest can give to us.
3. The Gift of Myrrh Represents - Mercy!
Myrrh was a burial spice used for embalming in ancient times. Strangely, this gift points to the fact that this child was born to give his life for us.
God chose to give, so you and I could live!
Holman Hunt has a famous painting of Jesus as a boy standing in the door of Joseph's carpenter shop. The setting sun is shining at the door and the lad Jesus has come to the door to stretch out his limbs which had grown cramped over the bench. As he stands in the door, the setting sun throws his shadow on the wall, and it is the shadow of a cross. In the background, there stands Mary and as she sees that shadow, there is great pain in her eyes.
Jesus came to give his life so we could know God's mercy.
Security! Hope! Mercy!
What marvelous gifts are offered to us by the One whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas. What marvelous gifts to embrace more fully as we enter a new year. Gifts that are free and yet priceless.
There is one simple key to receiving these gifts. There is one thing we need to give. God's gifts are released to us when we offer this one gift to his Son. Look once again at verses two and eight in our reading from Matthew:
"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." [2 - NIV]
"Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." [8 - NIV]
What is the one gift we need to give? It is the gift of our worship. God's gifts are released to us when we give our worship. Worship means "worth-ship". In the words of Revelation, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power." [Rev. 4:11 - KJV]
We never truly become all we were designed to be until we worship the One who came to bring us gifts. As you offer your prayer, "Lord I worship you and you alone," God's amazing gifts of security, hope and mercy are released into your life!
There are no parallels to Matthew's account of the wise men from the east, including the non-canonical gospels.
The prevailing view (in part from Clement of Alexandria) is that these wise men were of the Magi, a tribe of Persian priests who became the teachers of the Persian kings. Among their skills was astronomy and the religious aspect of astronomy -- astrology. Signs in the stars would arouse much interest in these eastern priests. From about the sixth century the names Balthasar, Caspar and Melchoir attached to these priests / kings. They have been the stuff of children's pageants ever since.
v.1 There is no mention of number, but the three gifts led to the conclusion that the wise men must have numbered three.
v.2 "Where is the child..." See Wm. Barclay [Matt. Vol. 1 on Matt. 2:1-2 in DSB] for a discussion of the fact that the world was in a state of heightened expectation that a ruler would arise who would lead the world. Barclay believes there is no need to relegate the story of the Magi to legend as many would do.
"We have seen his star..." So many suggestions have been made regarding the possibilities for the star of Bethlehem (Haley's comet, a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the Pisces constellation, a supernova) there is nothing conclusive. Matthew likely has Numbers 24:17 in mind: "...a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel..."
There was a large Jewish community in Babylon and it is quite possible that some of the Magi would have been familiar with Jewish messianic literature and expectations.
v. 3 "When Herod heard this he was frightened..." The verb "tarasso" is better translated "troubled" as in the KJV and NASB or "disturbed" as in the NIV. I would likely choose the term "agitated". (The root pictures stirring up or boiling water) The idea of a coming king disturbs the peace. Having been given the title of "king" -- Herod the Great had accomplished much. He was the only Roman governor who was able to keep the peace with the Jewish population. He actually did a lot for the people. He was, however, extremely paranoid (he murdered his favorite wife and two sons) -- which makes his murder of the innocents quite plausible.
vv.4-6 It is interesting that the Jewish religious leaders were not diligently looking for messiah (the Pharisees expected messiah somewhat later -- the Sadducees had little interest in the topic) while it is the pagan priests -- Persians -- who come to "pay homage".
v.11 Isaiah 60:6 and Psalm 70:10-11 are in Matthew's mind. While we see much meaning in the gifts (commentators since Origen have) -- the Magi are not likely conscious of the deeper significance, but are keeping the ancient Eastern custom of bringing gifts (especially gold) to a king -- or to a superior.
The Eternal Purpose of God ~ Ephesians 3:1-12
St. Paul goes to the heart of epiphany with the affirmation that in the Good News of Jesus Christ is contained a plan which was a "mystery hidden for ages in God". God's eternal purpose was to draw all persons of faith together in Jesus Christ. Jews and Gentiles together would share the promises of God and become fellow heirs in God's kingdom.
It is a fairly bold statement to say that the "wisdom of God" is now made known "through the church". What a high view of the Body of Christ! Here is the epiphany -- the dawning of the light -- God shining upon us all and revealing the plan of the ages. In Christ all things would be made new, the light would dawn and all persons of faith would have this wonderful and amazing "access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him."
You might tie together the Isaiah passage along with the gospel to show a progressive revelation leading to the revelation / epiphany of God's purpose of uniting all persons in one body of faith in Christ. Refer to Ephesians 1:9-10, "...he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."
Isaiah saw this partially -- but, of course, saw it as the fulfillment of the glory that should have been Jerusalem. All the world would come to Zion where the glory of God would be the light of the nations. Isaiah and his school could not consciously think in the terms Paul did, but there is a recognition that God is Lord of all and that all would share in the light of God in one way or another.
Matthew takes this theme a bit further in the journey of the Persian priests (the Magi) to the Christ. They are led by the light (star) first to Jerusalem, but then away from Jerusalem to an unlikely place. A stable in Bethlehem. Now the wise of the world are coming to discover the Christ and the scope of God's purposes is widening.
It will finally come to Paul, however, to announce the full epiphany of God. Are there any more powerful words in all of scripture than "...we have access to God..." [Eph.3:12]
You might personalize this by examining how all of us go through periods of "progressive" revelation. Isaiah, Matthew and Paul all experienced the light of God in a way that was appropriate to their time and place. In fact, none of it makes much difference until it dawns on me! Epiphany is finally the most personal experience of all. It is when God becomes real for me!
A Call To Worship (From Isaiah 60)
L: Arise, shine, for your light has come;
P: And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
L: Lift up your eyes and look around,
P: Then you shall see and be radiant,
L: Your heart shall thrill and rejoice,
P: The glory of God shall be our strength and our hope!
Prayer of Dedication
The gifts we bring to You, O Lord, fall so short of the gifts of great kings from the East. But, such as we have we bring to You. Above all things, may we know the joy of bringing to You, a heart filled with worship. Amen.